Fresh Off The Press; 3500 Years Ago

Good Morning Joes and Janes;

Tuesday was in the low 80’s but today is only supposed to top out at 56.   This is probably a blessing as the rapid rise in temperature has brought an equally fast rise in the water on the Bitterroot River.

Though written over 3500 years ago the promises and warnings are as fresh today as they were then.  Today I have chosen some text from Proverbs 11.  This is a bit of text but I trust you will take a few minutes to read it along with my thoughts that follow.

"The Lord abhors dishonest scales"

1 The LORD abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight.  2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.  3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.  4 Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.  5 The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.  6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.  7 When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes; all he expected from his power comes to nothing.  8 The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead.  9 With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape.  10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.  11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.  12 A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue.  13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.  14 For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.  15 He who puts up security for another will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to strike hands in pledge is safe. 

I have a few thoughts on the verses we have just read.  In God’s eyes humility, integrity and righteousness are the best defenses we have against evil.  The amount of wealth that we have will be useless in the day of wrath.  This could be individual judgment or ‘the day of wrath’, God’s judgment on the world and those who follow Satan or both.

These verses, I believe can be applied to individuals or to groups of individuals such as nations, states or cities.  Notice in verses 10 and 11, it says that the when the righteous prosper the city rejoices also when the wicked perish, (are punished) the city rejoices.  It is through the upright people in a city that it is blessed and by the wicked people that the city is destroyed.  The actions of the people as a whole are measured by God.  God not only judges people individually but also corporately.

We, particularly in the United States, a republican form of government have a great responsibility in ensuring that our government is properly run.  Notice in verse 14 that because of a lack of guidance, (or good leadership and council), but that many advisors make victory sure.  Who is ultimately responsible for the position of advisors in this country?  Do Americans today hold their leaders accountable or are we more interested in sports, accumulating wealth and enjoying our hobbies?

Lastly in verse 15 it says; “He who puts up security for another will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to strike hands in pledge is safe.”  What are we as a people doing borrowing almost 16 trillion in short term debt from other nations and people; money that will be owed by our children and grandchildren?  And this is only part of close to 100 trillion in promised payments to people in the future with nothing to back the promises up but ‘faith and confidence’ in the government.  Will God suspend all of his promises of judgment because; ‘we are special’ or ‘America is blessed by God’?  Should we be surprised when God judges America when he has clearly conveyed who he blesses and who he judges?

I believe that if righteous people in this country do not stand up to be counted, make sure the “scales are honest”, the wicked are punished, the people that we vote in for leaders have integrity, then we will suffer the consequences.  Above all we need to humble ourselves before the Lord and ask for his wisdom and guidance.

I encourage you to go out today and encourage others in standing up to be counted humble and righteous before the Lord.

Regular Joe

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